Comments about ‘For 3, bomb suspect's friendship leads to charges’

They are about to have a practical lesson in US criminal justice. I don't
know how much tuition they pay at UMass, but becoming educated in felony
sentencing can have a very high cost. The judge's decision on bail in view
of their flight risk will be some indication of how serious the US is.

The moment we stop allowing people from other countries to attend our schools
then other countries will reciprocate by prohibiting Americans from attending
their schools. Please do not allow the stupid actions of a few to destroy the
freedom we all enjoy to study and learn all across the world and to benefit from
associations with wonderful people from other countries.

I'm appalled that his friends got rid of evidence so the bomber
"wouldn't get in trouble" -- pretty stupid for college age kids.
Even after seeing the bombers pictures on the news, hearing the younger brother
proudly proclaim he knew how to make a bomb, and not think he was involved?! I
hope the government gives them the stiffest sentence allowable for this
atrocious crime, and then send them back to their own country.

@PAC. The strength of the U.S is not so much in its ability to produce the best
talent, but to attract it. Despite many claims of "when I was a kid, the
U.S. was #1 in science," the U.S. has never performed in even the top 25% in
international tests since the first such tests were administered decades ago.
The moment we stop accepting quality international talent to study and work in
the U.S. is the moment we will begin to lose our standing as a leader in
innovation and business.

Peter is correct. We have attracted hundreds of thousands if not millions of
the worlds best and brightest to our universities. Many pay higher fees than
domestic students, subsidizing studies for Americans. The real value, however,
lies in the associations formed and the fact that many stay here contributing
their smarts and ambition to our communities.

Attracting people to the USA for the best education is great.
BUT what we and what they do with this education is the issue. Many stay and
work and help the USA to be the best in many areas. Some go back to make their
countries better. Unfortunately some go back to not so friendly countries and
cause us grief or better yet stay and use it against us. Some that come to mind
are 9/11. The guys who flew the planes were trained here. Back in my parents
day Yamamoto the military Navy genus of Japan was educated in the USA and went
back to Japan and used his knowledge against us. He was one of the greatest
military minds of the day. There are other examples too.

So we can not just cut foreign students off but maybe we need
to be more watchful of some of these people that come. Guessing people from
Japan, England and Australia and such would be lower risk but maybe Kazakhstan,
Iran or similar countries say from the Middle Eastern countries should be more
watched. Discrimination? Maybe but you would put more police in a down town
city like LA, Chicago or New York than say in a rural town of Iowa or Kansas
where keys still dangle from cars ignitions and front doors are open when no one
is home. Is that not discrimination too?

No right answer here but
it does make us look at where we are now and try to figure out a better way.

PAC: Maybe we should just close the borders and not let anyone in or out??

Statman: We have lots of Americans that study in foreign countries. If
you want to be funny and make a comment about going to Kazakhstan, that's
one thing, but PAC implies they would like to stop ALL foreign students from
attending our universities. If that were to happen, I can guarantee there would
be reciprocity and angst!

America's greatness is directly related to its free and open society. For
centuries it has welcomed people from all over the world to its shores to learn,
to share and either to stay or go home. We will continue to be great only as we
are willing to continue that openness, even for people from Kazakhstan.